Around Campus: KPC promoting UAA Seawolves hockey game on Peninsula

Posted: Monday, September 20, 2010

By Suzie Kendrick

As a community campus of UAA, KPC is embracing the opportunity to welcome and support the UAA Seawolves hockey team to the Peninsula. UAA will play Ontario's University of Windsor Lancers at 7 p.m. on Oct. 2 at the Soldotna Sports Center.

This will be the third time that a NCAA division I exhibition game has been played on the Peninsula.

In past years the games have sold out.

The Kenai River Campus and the Student Union is partnering with the Kenai Peninsula Hockey Association to promote the event.

According to KPHA spokesperson Clint Hagel, this year's major sponsor for the event is Tesoro Alaska.

Advance tickets are $10 and are available at Instant Replay, Lucky Puck Pull Tabs, Duck Inn and at the Kenai River Campus Bookstore.

Tickets will also be available at the door for $12.

The Bookstore will have a variety of UAA Seawolf memorabilia and logo items for sale to fans.

Other UAA Seawolf clothing and game favors, as well as KPC gear, is also available.

The KRC Student Union is planning a KPC Spirit Week to raise awareness about the UAA game. Every day of the week before the game will have a different theme for promoting team spirit. Mismatched Monday invites students to come dressed in all manner of styles, Pajama Tuesday students can save time and come to class directly from bed, Wacky Hair Wednesday is self-explanatory, Backward Thursday has students wearing clothing and hats inside out and backward culminating with Seawolf Spirit Friday with everyone dressing in UAA green and gold.

The UAA hockey team will visit the campus at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the McLane commons and have lunch provided by KRC Student Services and the Student Union. The team will be available to meet the public and sign autographs for fans.

The Student Union plans on having a face-painting artist at the game and will organize a KPC cheering section in the stands at the arena.

Youth for Understanding student exchange program

The Kenai River Campus Learning Center has coordinated the college's relationship with the international student exchange organization, Youth for Understanding, to bring international students to the Peninsula.

This will be the third year the program has been in place.

Youth For Understanding is a nonprofit educational organization which offers opportunities for young people around the world to spend a summer, semester or year with a host family in another culture.

"We welcomed three new Youth For Understanding Community College Program exchange students this semester, including Joo Young from Korea, Sebastian Berg from Sweden and Gian Thoni from Switzerland. All three students will be housed with host families in our community for the academic year," Taylor said.

Financial aid impacts significant for KPC students

According to Bill Howell, Student Services director, KPC has disbursed $1,163,738 -- after tuition and fees -- for the current semester from various financial aid programs to students to cover their miscellaneous expenses. In the previous semester, $1,628,343 was disbursed to students.